City Gop Candidates Propose Mall Changes

October 04, 1985|by DAVID M. ERDMAN, The Morning Call

Republican City Council candidates and Republican candidate for mayor Charles Theisen formed a united front against their Democratic counterparts last night, arguing that Allentown really is not "on the move" and proposing solutions as radical as closing Hamilton Mall to traffic 24 hours a day.

The differing views were offered in East Allentown at the Midway Manor Community Association Candidates Night in Midway Manor Moravian Church.

"When I go down the Hamilton Mall, I cry," said Republican council candidate Fuad E. Jarrah, an engineer and turnpike toll collector.

Jarrah proposed that the mall be closed to traffic and that Linden and Walnut streets be made two-way thoroughfares.

Richard A. Miller, another Republican and an insurance agency owner, said, "Some frightening things are happening in the city."

On the mall, Miller said, "We have to get rid of the undesirables." He said, "there are too many characters."

Theisen said the area in which he lives, the 600 block of N. 7th Street, "is noisy and it's dirty." He advocated that litter cans be installed around his neighborhood.

Theisen, a sales representative for Rileigh, Gander & Showalter Inc., Emmaus, advocated that the next mayor of Allentown "will have to go directly to firms" to lure them to make their base in the city. "The mayor can't expect to write letters and get results."

And the incumbent Democrats had their turn.

"Everything every one of these candidates has said they would do, we are doing," said Daddona. "And thank God, we are doing it, or we would be like other downtowns that are boarded up and bombed out."

Councilman Benjamin Howells Jr. said what he believes is the answer to drawing shoppers downtown is already being advocated by the current council, and that is the establishment of a separate agency to manage the mall under an arrangement similar to the way the suburban malls are run.

Councilwoman Barbara C. Irvine said the "danger" on Hamilton Mall is "perceived" and not "actual" and, added Daddona, "Do you know there is more crime on the suburban malls' parking lots during shopping hours than there is on Hamilton Mall during shopping time?"

Councilman Frank J. Palencar invited the audience of about 25 to "take a walk in the downtown . . . There is nothing wrong with it." Palencar noted rehabilitation projects such as Hamilton Financial Center and a new office center and parking area going up on N. 7th Street as well as the conversion of the old Zollinger's department store into the Sovereign Building of offices.

Attorney Mark Van Horn, who has served as president of the Old Allentown Preservation Association, said the city's downtown has the ability to attract people. Citing himself as an example, he said he chose his home "four blocks from the mall." Van Horn called for development along the Lehigh River for retail and recreation areas.

Daddona and Theisen were in agreement on one thing - Councilman Howells advocacy of the land value tax proposal, the principal of placing more of the property tax burden on land than on buildings in the city to spur development of vacant land. Daddona vowed to veto any such proposals from council. Remarked Theisen on the proposal, "Why even mention it? I think it's absurd."

Attorney William K. Malkames, another Republican council candidate, also said he is firmly opposed to shifting any more taxes to business.

Theisen said he wanted to hire 10 full-time officers to walk beat patrols. The city recently instituted a volunteer program whereby pairs of police officerstake foot patrols.

Daddona said Theisen's proposal would be unaffordable. Daddona said he has proposed hiring 10 more policemen but at a rate of two every year for the next five years. He also said he would fight to keep the foot patrols voluntary.